Maine moose?

[thinhorn_AK]

What is a Maine moose hunt like? Is it tough? Are the moose fairly abundant and easy to find? Do you drive around logging roads looking for them or do you actually pack in and camp?

 

[huntcookwrite]

No luck for me either — or any one else in my family. Good news is by the time my kids are eligible to hunt, they’ll all be starting off with 10+ points… ha!

 

[BlackHillsShooter]

What is a Maine moose hunt like? Is it tough? Are the moose fairly abundant and easy to find? Do you drive around logging roads looking for them or do you actually pack in and camp?

I don't think they are tough. You will need equipment to get them out of the woods or off a clear cut. Usually two trucks and a fair amount of cable. The most productive way to hunt for bull moose is calling them out of the woods with raking and horn.

You can drive around and try to spot them. In fact, guys have been doing that for generations. To the degree that they mount a tower chair to the pickup bed and have a spotter ride around up there.

Moose are abundant in Maine but they can seem scarce. They have literally evolved into whitetail like behavior. I figure it was when tags doubled and pressure increased enough to make that happen. Used to be you could move around one without it being too worried about you.

 

[Joshk358]

What is a Maine moose hunt like? Is it tough? Are the moose fairly abundant and easy to find? Do you drive around logging roads looking for them or do you actually pack in and camp?

Physically, not to tough. Although, I'm they can be if you tent camp in a remote area and have to pack a moose out. Mine went like this. Drove to camp, the place I stayed had propane heated cabins. Remote as all get out, 3 hr drive on logging roads to the camp. So that was pretty cool. Get up early, have breakfast at the main lodge, drive to an old logging area and walk back in from 1/4 mile to over a mile. Calling along the way and listening for a bull to call back or come in. We did this all day for 2.5 days. Called in a couple only one of which did I see up until the time I shot my bull. Day 3 that happened. We did the same as the previous days. Parked and walked in a ways. Called and heard some branches breaking. A few mins later a cow and calf walked onto the logging road. We stayed back and followed them around the bend. that was about 30 mins. Planted around the bend and called for about 15 mins then my bull stepped out about 15 yds away and walked directly away from us. At 94 yrds he looked over his shoulder and gave me a tight qtring away shot. Put it in his heart and he walked 15yds off the road and fell over. I stayed with the bull and the guide went to get help. The truck had a winch in the bed of the truck and they used snatch blocks to maneuver the bull to the logging road. Gutted and loaded up for the 3hr drive to the check station. It was an absolute adventure I'll remember for the rest of my life. The coolest part, my brother tagged along and got to experience it all with me. Epic trip that I hope to get to do again one day.

 

[Purdue]

How realistic is it for a guy to drive up a couple days before the season, camp within Zone 1, hunt from sun up to sun down and expect to be successful? Asking for a friend…

 

[BlackHillsShooter]

How realistic is it for a guy to drive up a couple days before the season, camp within Zone 1, hunt from sun up to sun down and expect to be successful? Asking for a friend…

I haven't been home, much less up north in 5 years so alot could have changed. I'd normally do it but I'd be picky about which moose I shot. Proximity to your rig will be important. Have the tools needed to get the animal in your truck.

You'll reduce odds of success this way but you won't regret shooting a moose in the wrong place. Calling for help might get it and it'll be expensive.

 

[Nine Banger]

The locals drive around as crews in quad cabs with 5x10 utility trailers banging along behind them and drag the moose out whole with chainsaw winches. The moose are beat to shit when you see them at the check station. Imagine rub marks from being pulled around stumps, etc.

The 3 seasons are short and set apart so everyone with the same tag is hunting at the same time.

@ViperD and I did a hybrid style hunt between road hunting and western hunting. We tried to do it on foot the first couple days but the terrain doesn't really allow it. Imagine hunting white tails on foot in the east.

When we showed up at the check station with game bags it was met with the same reaction as if we were eating candy bars with a fork and a knife.

 

[Jstumbaugh]

You used to have to bring them out whole, that law changed a few years back. Unless I dropped one in the logging road I would plan on breaking it down.

 

[BlackHillsShooter]

You used to have to bring them out whole, that law changed a few years back. Unless I dropped one in the logging road I would plan on breaking it down.

Huh... Reasonable change in the rules. I didn't know that.